Thursday, November 4, 2010

Three Things Thursday

1. In 48 hours (I hope) I should be finishing my longest race to date: the W.O.O.F. 15.9-mile trail race. And you know what that means? Carb loading! I like to start working on the carbs a couple days ahead rather than just the night before. Think oats, sweet potatoes, whole wheat pasta, ice cream. Wait. Ice cream isn't a carb. Damn!

2. I haven't really trained for Saturday's race. Sure, I worked on getting some mileage with long runs the past two Sundays but I haven't been on a trail. Ever. I decided, though, that running on the sidewalks in my 'hood, distorted and raised from old trees is sort of like running on a trail - especially in fall. Lots of acorns and leaves and stepping up and making sure you don't fall on your face.

3. I have no real expectations for this race (see No. 2). I registered on a whim with little time to train and have never ran a trail. It's a small race, and I'm not sure if I'll feel that "competitive spirit." I'd be lying, though, if I said I hadn't been running numbers in my head.

Primary goal: Finish. Plain and simple.
Secondary goal: Finish in less than three hours, just shy of a 12-minute pace.
"Can I dream?" goal: Finish in 2.5 hours, about an 8:55 pace.

Any which way I think about it, what's important is my commitment to finish and have a good time. And to be adventurous. After all, there will be bison burgers awaiting me at the finish!

5 comments:

  1. You're going to rock it! I know it!

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  2. Ice cream can have carbs.. get some with some pretzel infused in the icecream..... haha :)

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  3. Oh gosh. When have you had a 12-minute mile pace?! LOL. You will rock it!

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  4. Hey! I think you're going to do fantastic! As someone who does run trails pretty regularly, I just want to say that they will slow you down. I think you will still do awesome and I don't want to be a negative nelly, but please don't be disappointed if your pace is a little slower. Have fun! :)

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  5. First, you're going to rock the race. FACT! Second, Chris & Amy are exactly correct - it's not about speed on a trail run - it's about finishing safely. The race has a wall of hay (or is it straw?) that you have to climb over (on each lap) so it's just about having a great time. Trails are a little harder to pass on if you get caught up in traffic. Not trying to be a downer. It is a super fun event both during and after! You'll LOVE the roaring fire in the lodge after the race - NICE!!!
    See you there!

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